on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The peanut gallery on the outside won’t sway his optimism, especially in last year’s first-round pick, Xavier Legette.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2025
The vintage print on the outside and fun pop of blooms on the interior bring color to the table.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
The Atlanta Braves and Mets both had 89-73 records last season, but those teams made the playoffs due to tiebreakers, which kept the Diamondbacks on the outside looking in.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Darnell Nurse was already playing left defence for Edmonton, but Holland acquired Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm during the years that followed, effectively leaving Broberg on the outside looking in.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2025
The vintage print on the outside and fun pop of blooms on the interior bring color to the table.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
The Atlanta Braves and Mets both had 89-73 records last season, but those teams made the playoffs due to tiebreakers, which kept the Diamondbacks on the outside looking in.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Darnell Nurse was already playing left defence for Edmonton, but Holland acquired Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm during the years that followed, effectively leaving Broberg on the outside looking in.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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